Kiernan Recreation Center Holds Reopening and Blessing

John Spanbauer, Kiernan Center director, Sara Kates, NUSGA treasurer, and the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., NU president, are all smiles after the Oct. 11 reopening and blessing of the recreation complex.

The Kiernan Center, Niagara University’s recreation complex, hosted a grand reopening Oct. 11 to familiarize the campus community with the many improvements that were made to the facility during the summer.

Kiernan Center director John Spanbauer, ’83, M.S.Ed.’93, welcomed about 50 guests to the facility’s newly renovated front fitness area before inviting senior Sara Kates to say a few words on behalf of the Niagara University Student Government Association (NUSGA). NUSGA provided supplementary funding for the 800-square-foot expansion of the fitness area.

“We know that the Kiernan Center helps a lot of the students on campus who come here daily to use the facility,” said the Rochester native. “This is what NUSGA is here for. We want to continue to be visible in the community and help out in any way we can on campus.”

The Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., NU president, concluded the brief program by offering a blessing of the facility. Guests then milled around to enjoy lunch, take guided tours of the complex, and watch the men’s and women’s diving team practice.

Summertime renovations of the Kiernan Center included the construction of two new locker rooms and new restrooms in the Scaffidi Gymnasium, along with the aforementioned expansion of the front fitness area. The space was also brightened through the introduction of four sizable windows, while four new televisions and a new stereo system have been installed to enhance the workout experience.

Finally, in conjunction with NU’s offices of Communications and Planning, the Kiernan Center has been rebranded, with a relatively new logo, new NU athletics images on its front pillars and several additional splashes of purple paint incorporated into its lobby area.